Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Questioning. Questioning motives? Questioning who is this? How does he/she do this or that? By what authority? Or in the case of the Gospel, false claims – He drives out demons by the power of the devil himself.
We are familiar with such questionings and dubious claims. Sometimes these even arise in response to some good deed or wise word, but especially if it’s something we might disagree with or that challenges our way of thinking. Such is the human way.
Yet, what good does that questioning motives, raising suspicions, presuming ill-will, or creating division really do? None whatsoever.
That seems to be what Jesus is referring to in his words “a house divided will not survive.” Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house.” This stands to reason. These are all the work of a demon. The demon of suspicion, or jealousy.
Or how might it apply to us? In each of our lives? If we are torn or divided, pulled in opposite directions, that makes for a divided heart? It does not make for peace of mind, but rather anxiety and growing stagnant.
What is the remedy for all this? As St Paul wrote in the letter to the Romans, “who will save us from this situation” (from this body of death – as Paul puts it)? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Jesus is the one who will set us free.
Reflection by Fr. Peter Ullrich, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections